System and method for determining a personal SHG profile by voice analysis

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment of the present invention a computerized voice-analysis device for determining an S,H,G profile is provided (as described herein, such an S,H,G profile relates to the strengths (e.g., relative strengths) of three human instinctive drives). Of note, the present invention may be used for one or more of the following: analyzing a previously recorded voice sample; real-time analysis of voice as it is being spoken; combination voice analysis—that is, a combination of: (a) previously recorded and/or real-time voice; and (b) answers to a questionnaire.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/536,530, filed Sep.28, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,917,366 which is continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 09/534,170, filed Mar. 24, 2000, nowabandoned. This application also claims the benefit of United StatesProvisional Application Ser. No. 60/747,603, filed May 18, 2006. Each ofthe aforementioned applications is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system and methodfor producing optimum-effect marketing (e.g., marketing that increasessales by improving the effect that the marketing has on potentialconsumers). More specifically, this embodiment of the present inventionrelates to a system and method for producing customized and moreeffective marketing using a business marketing model for producing andselecting advertisements with one or more unique features that willappeal to different consumers. The advertisements may be customized toan inner orientation of a potential consumer. By using such a model,companies can create multiple advertisements for the same product (orservice) that produce positive initial responses from consumers havingvarying inner orientations, and subsequently increase sales of theproduct (or service).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many factors which contribute to a successful marketingcampaign. To successfully market a product, a producer or distributor(hereinafter referred to as a “company”) should ideally have anadvantage over its competitors. This advantage may be an improved orunique product (or service). The company should also be able toadvertise the product (or service) in a manner that stresses theadvantages that the product (or service) provides. Furthermore, acompany should decide ahead of time which audience(s) to target, andthus design advertisements to address the specific needs of that group.A company should carry good service relationships with customers.Finally, a marketing campaign of a particular company should reachpotential consumers before that of another company.

Even with all these prerequisites, a company often fails to producesuccessful marketing campaigns. It is believed that this is at least inpart because companies conventionally cannot accurately predict how apotential consumer will perceive an advertisement. A company may try toappeal to the sense of adventure in a potential consumer, for example,by portraying specific images or colors in the advertisement. Yet, ifthe potential consumer is not an “adventurous type”, then the efforts onthe part of the company have been essentially worthless. A potentialconsumer might take one quick look at an advertisement and decide,before any further inquiry, that he or she does not wish to purchase theproduct (or service). Thus, if an advertisement for the product (orservice) does not initially appeal to a potential consumer, thentypically no sale will be made, regardless of the benefit the consumermight derive from the product (or service), the high quality of theproduct (or service), or the fact that the advertisement reached thepotential consumer before that of another company.

The problem of effective marketing also exists on the Internet. Firstly,Internet “surfers” are typically attracted mostly by the price of aproduct, while other advantages come secondarily. Furthermore, while inregular marketing, it is possible to direct marketing according to someof the needs of the particular consumer (e.g., based on demographicdata, specified interests, etc. . . . it is typically not possible to dothis on standard Internet sites (because a business typically cannotknow which individuals are visiting their site). Thus, all consumerstypically view identical advertisements when they visit the same Webpage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, otherobjects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying FIGURE.The FIGURE constitutes a part of this specification and includesillustrative embodiments of the present invention and illustratesvarious objects and features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein;however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in variousforms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with thevarious embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative,and not restrictive. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale,some features may be exaggerated to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for producingoptimum-effect marketing (e.g., for use in connection with interactivemediums), comprising: (a) collecting information obtained from potentialconsumers for generating a computerized database containing personalcharacter profiles of the potential consumers; (b) analyzing and sortingthe character profiles into at least three clusters, wherein eachcluster corresponds to a subset of character profiles showing apredominant tendency towards one of the following individualorientations: survival, growth, and relaxation, or a combinationthereof; (c) producing a series of advertisements for a specific productor service, wherein each advertisement contains one or more uniquefeatures so as to be adapted for a specific one of the clusters; and (d)presenting the appropriate advertisement from the series ofadvertisements to the corresponding cluster of potential consumers.

In one example, the information may be collected via a questionnaire.

In another example, the questionnaire may contain questions relating tothe level of disposition of the potential consumer towards survival,growth, and relaxation.

In another example, the questionnaire may be presented to a potentialconsumer through the Internet, over the telephone, through aninteractive television medium, at a point-of-sale, or any otherappropriate interactive medium.

In another example, the unique feature(s) of each advertisement mayinclude various colors, sounds, smells, words, and/or images.

In another example, the advertisement may be presented to the potentialconsumer via electronic mail, direct mail, telephone, interactivetelevision, at a point-of-sale, Internet or any other appropriateinteractive medium.

In another example, the number of clusters may be between three andtwenty-seven.

In another example, twenty-seven clusters may correspond to all of thepossible combinations of low, medium, and high level of orientationtowards survival, growth, and relaxation.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method forconducting a matching service between at least two people (e.g., for usein connection with dating services, employment agencies, and “chatrooms”), comprising: (a) collecting information obtained from users forgenerating a computerized database containing personal characterprofiles of the users; (b) analyzing and sorting the character profilesinto at least three clusters, wherein each cluster corresponds to asubset of character profiles showing a predominant tendency towards oneof the following individual orientations: survival, growth, andrelaxation, or a combination thereof; and (c) matching users accordingto the cluster of character profiles to which they are categorized.

Referring now more particularly to certain aspects of the presentinvention, it is believed that when an individual is exposed to a newadvertisement, the first immediate response to the advertisement isessentially completely emotionally-based. This is because the center incharge of the immediate reactions in the human brain is the limbicsystem (located above the brain stem). The limbic system receives theinformation from the sense organs and produces an immediate responsebefore the “thinking” parts of the brain (the neo-cortex) have processedthe information received. The thinking parts of the brain, after a fewseconds, produce a response that rationalizes and justifies the initialemotional response of the individual. In some cases, a second rationalresponse may occur that causes the individual to change their firstrational response (usually, however, this does not occur). Therefore, anindividual's rational reaction to a new advertisement will typicallytend to support the initial emotional response. What this means tocompanies marketing products or services is that the immediate emotionalresponse should be a positive one (it is believed that the more positivethe initial response, the more likelihood that the potential consumerwill later make the decision to buy the product or service). Consideringthe flood of marketing messages that an individual encounters every day,whether on billboards, radio and television commercials, in stores, oron the Internet, the immediate emotional response is typically ofcrucial importance if advertisers are to sell their products or services(if an initial response is positive, then there is reasonable groundsfor an individual to learn more about a product or service; however, ifthe advertisement did not appeal in the initial stage to the consumer,than even if the product or service would be suitable to meet the needsof the consumer, the consumer will typically not consider purchasing theproduct or service).

In this regard, under various embodiments of the present inventionpotential consumers may be categorized according to the following threebasic character dispositions for the purposes of marketing: a) survivalb) growth, and c) relaxation. A character profile for each potentialconsumer can be generated based on his or her character disposition, anda database, containing the character profiles, can be produced.Thereafter, the character profiles may arranged into at least threeclusters according to the three character dispositions, and customizedadvertisements may be produced and presented to potential consumersaccording to the cluster to which they belong.

In one example there may be three clusters corresponding to individualswho are primarily survival, growth, and relaxation-oriented. In anotherexample, there may be six clusters, each corresponding to a differentprimary character disposition but also corresponding to a secondarydisposition of an individual (thus, under this example, a person who isprimarily growth-oriented but also exhibits some features of arelaxation-oriented individual will be put into a different cluster thanthat of a person who is also primarily growth-oriented, but who has asecondary tendency towards the survival orientation). In anotherexample, there may be twenty-seven clusters, produced by evaluatingindividual character profiles in terms of the relative degree (low,medium, or high) of each character disposition that is exhibited (thus,in this example, an individual may exhibit a high level of relaxationorientation, a medium level of growth orientation, and a low level ofsurvival orientation—another individual might exhibit low levels of bothrelaxation and survival orientation, but have a high level of growthorientation). In another example, more than three different degrees ofeach orientation may be designated, for example, extremely high,moderately high, medium, moderately low, and extremely low (this wouldenable the production a larger number of clusters). Thus, while thepresent invention is described primarily with reference to threeclusters, corresponding to the three primary character orientations, itshould be appreciated that any other number of clusters (correspondingto unique combinations of the three main character dispositions) can beproduced according to the criterion used.

As mentioned above, it is believed that the particular characterdisposition of the individual is what primarily determines the initialemotional response to something new. Thus, if companies could knowbefore hand which of the three character dispositions (or combinationthereof) a certain potential consumer has, then the company could give acustomized advertisement to that consumer according to his or hercharacter disposition. When marketing to potential consumers with aparticular character disposition, the company could stress advantages ofthe product (or service) that would appeal especially to that potentialconsumer. Companies can also adapt the visual, sensory, and/or audioqualities of an advertisement to help ensure a positive initial responseto the advertisement.

As mentioned before, one character disposition according to variousembodiments of the present invention is the “survival orientation”. Inthis regard, if an individual is survival-oriented, then he or she isprimarily concerned with filling the most basic of physical, emotional,and social needs. Survival-oriented individuals have a tendency to feelthat the world is not a safe place and they worry mostly about theirpersonal survival. Such an individual defines a certain threshold ofbasic needs that are necessary for survival. Survival-orientedindividuals typically feel that life is hard and they treat every minorproblem as a potential threat to survival. They view new objects interms of the potential threat or the ability for the object to distancethem from the threshold. Such an individual is attracted toadvertisements that appeal to their strong survival instinct.

Another character disposition according to various embodiments of thepresent invention is the “growth orientation”. In this regard,growth-oriented individuals typically seek out new ways to improve theireconomic opportunities, their spiritual side, their relationships,health, etc. Such individuals typically want to advance further thanwhere they are. They seek challenge and novelty and it is difficult forthem to settle into a particular routine. Progress is desirable whileregress or “status-quo” are viewed as damaging. A growth-oriented personis typically interested in art and culture. Such an individual isattracted to advertisements that appeal to their innate desire to grow(e.g., advertisements containing bright colors such as red (brightcolors evoke the sense of risk and adventure) or verbal messagesrelating to the novelty and innovation of the product or service). Theirinitial emotional response to such advertisements would be a positiveone.

Another character disposition according to various embodiments of thepresent invention is the “relaxation orientation” (also sometimesreferred to herein as the “homeostasis orientation”). In this regard,relaxation-oriented individuals are averse to change, and thereforehesitate to take risks (even if the risks have a high probability ofsuccess) and to try new things. They believe that any change is damagingand typically try to maintain things at the level that they are atcurrently. Relaxation-oriented individuals tend to feel most comfortableat home and they view family life as being more important than career.They are attracted to advertisements that appeal to their stronginclination towards relaxation and homeostasis (for example, if theadvertisement contained “relaxing” colors (such as blues or greens), ifthe advertisement had relaxing music playing in the background, or ifthe advertisement pictured a very relaxing scene, then arelaxation-oriented individual would typically have a positive initialemotional response, and be prompted to investigate more into the productor service being advertised).

Further, under various embodiments of the present invention, it ispossible to predict whether an individual is basically oriented towardsthe survival, growth, or relaxation disposition. In one example, theprediction may be done through responses to a questionnaire (e.g.,received over the World Wide Web, e-mail, telephone, interactivetelevision, at a point-of-sale or any other appropriate interactivemedium). The questionnaire may contain, for example, questionsconcerning vacation preferences, responses in hypothetical situations,and even favorite colors. All these can be indicative of whether thepotential consumer is chiefly oriented towards survival, growth, orrelaxation. Information collected from the potential consumers (from thequestionnaires and/or other sources) may be input into a database andeach potential consumer may be given a character profile and groupedinto as cluster, according to the orientation manifested in thecharacter profile. The questionnaire may be responded to as part of alarger series of questions not related to the marketing campaign (suchas a telephone survey), or it may be an independent undertaking of thecompany doing the marketing. In another example, the predication maydone through checking which Internet sites an individual frequents,spending patterns, etc. In another example, the prediction may becarried out using any combination of the above.

A company may develop a series of advertisements for one product (orservice), each advertisement in the series being geared towards aspecific orientation (e.g., survival, growth, or relaxation) by varyingthe words, colors, smells, sounds, etc. utilized in each advertisement.Thus, each advertisement may be adapted to be effective for a particulardisposition so as to create a maximum positive emotional response fromthe potential consumer and thus increase the chances of a sale. Forexample, when marketing a new, homeopathic medicine, a company canstress those soothing, tension-reducing aspects of the drug (if any)when the marketing is directed towards a relaxation-oriented person.Additionally, relaxing music and/or scenery may be provided during theadvertisement. Alternatively, if an advertisement is directed towards asurvival-oriented person, the company may stress any life-prolonging,disease-preventing aspects of the drug. For example, if the medicineenhances immune system function, the company could stress that the“medication raises efficiency of the body's natural defenses.” Needlessto say, there are many possibilities for customized marketing accordingto this model.

The advertisements may be presented to the potential consumer throughany appropriate medium, such as e-mail, telephone (CRM and cellular),interactive television, and point-of-sale. Since the advent of variousinteractive mediums can sometimes allow a company to know the locationof the potential consumer, it is further possible to present thoseadvertisements that will appeal to the potential consumer in the exactsituation that he or she is in. For example, a relaxation-orientedindividual on vacation can be presented (e.g., through cellular phone)with advertisements for relaxing activities that he or she can pursuewhile on vacation at the particular spot. An individual may also bepresented with customized advertisements at a point-of-sale, sinceentering one's credit card information can typically enable a company toidentify the customer, and the cluster to which they belong, and therebypresent to them suitable advertisements.

Of note, while various embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in connection with producing effective marketing, the presentinvention may, of course, also be used in other fields (e.g.,matchmaking services, finding an appropriate “chat” partner in anon-line chat-room, or for employment matching). In each field ofapplication, users or applicants may be grouped according to thesupplied answers, into different clusters corresponding to similarcharacter orientations. Thereafter, a “match” may be made by pairing upone individual (or employer) with another individual (or employer)having the desired orientation.

As described above, it is believed that many decisions that people makeare the result of a spontaneous and an instinctive thought process(people are typically either incapable or unwilling to invest the timethat would be needed for a thorough analysis of all the factors involvedin a complex decision). Indeed, very often a rapid decision is necessaryfor the sake of sorting out the very same information that is requiredfor the decision. At other times, the need for a rapid responsenecessitates a quick decision before the completion of a lengthycognitive analysis. As a consequence, humans are conditioned for rapid,instinctive decisions. While these quick decisions are oftensubsequently reinforced by slower cognitive processes, the initial,instinctive bias typically does not change and will carry a significantweight in any further deliberations.

In light of the above, there is considerable interest in identifying anddescribing those elements and processes that are involved in instinctivedecision-making. Elucidating the instinctive decision-making processaccording to the present invention is of use and relevance in thefollowing examples (which are intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive):

-   -   A. Understanding a person as an individual faced with constant        choices whereby an identification of that person's tendencies        would suggest who and what he or she would approve of.    -   B. Understanding a person as an individual faced with purchasing        decisions (e.g., goods and/or services) whereby knowledge of        that person's decision-making process would allow someone to        guide or influence the potential consumer's choice (e.g., by a        proper matching of goods and/or services).    -   C. Understanding an individual's decision-making tendencies to        allow an observer to predict how that individual will fit within        an organization. This would be useful, for example, in the        context of job recruitment, job placement, team-building and/or        tailored job-training.    -   D. Understanding a person and predicting his or her reactions        (e.g., for the purpose of evaluating a potential security risk).

Presented above was a model for instinctive decision-making that uses athree-dimensional personality profile. The three dimensions are theresult of three drives:

-   -   1. Survival (S)—the willingness of an individual to fight for        his or her own survival and his or her readiness to look out for        existential threats.

2. Homeostasis (H) [or “Relaxation”]—the extent to which an individualwould prefer to maintain his or her ‘status quo’ in all areas of life(from unwavering opinions to physical surroundings) and to maintain hisor her way of life and activity.

-   -   3. Growth (G)—the extent to which a person strives for personal        growth in all areas (e.g., spiritual, financial, health, etc.).

It is believed that these three drives have a biochemical basis in thebrain by the activity of three neurotransmitter loops:

-   -   1. Survival—could be driven by the secretion of adrenaline and        noradrenalin,    -   2. Homeostasis—could be driven by the secretion of acetylcholine        and serotonin,    -   3. Growth—could be driven by the secretion of dopamine.

While all human beings share these three instinctive drives (S,H,G),people differ in the relative strengths of the individual drives. Forexample, a person with a very strong (S) drive will demonstrateaggressiveness, possessiveness and a tendency to engage in high-riskbehavior when he or she is unlikely to be caught. On the other hand, anindividual with a weak (S) drive will tend to be indecisive and willavoid making decisions. A person with a strong (H) drive will tend to bestubborn and resistant to changing opinions and/or habits. In contrast,an individual with a weak (H) drive will frequently change his or heropinions and/or habits. Or, for example, an individual with a strong (G)drive will strive to learn new subjects and will strive for personalenrichment (intellectual and otherwise). A weak (G) drive, on the otherhand, may lead a person to seek isolation and may even result in mentaldepression.

This (S,H,G) system was described above and a mechanism for measuring anindividual's profile through the use of a questionnaire was presented(whereby an (S,H,G) profile is derived on the basis of answers to aquestionnaire). Furthermore, a method for improving marketing efforts onthe basis of a questionnaire-derived (S,H,G) profile was presented. Ofcourse, when using a questionnaire a tested subject must consent andcooperate fully with a tester.

In this regard, various embodiments directed to a system and method fordetermining a personal SHG profile by voice analysis will now bepresented.

Reference will now be made to what is referred to herein as the “averageintensity function”. This average intensity function may be computed bymeasuring the intensity of the speaker's voice during the time period“T” (in one example, T may be a relatively short span of a few dozenseconds). The average voice intensity is measured by measuring theintensities of sound at each different frequency (for example, in thefrequency range of between 20 Hz and 15000 Hz) during multipletime-points within the range T. The time-points (T1) may be selected tobe equally distributed during the total range T. At each time-point, theintensity of each frequency is measured and is described as a function“F1” of that frequency I(F1,T1). This measurement is repeated at everytime-point for a total of “N” measurements to span the entire range T.Thus, in this example, the average intensity function for each frequencycan be described as:I(ƒ0)=1/nΣ ^(n) _(i=1) I(ƒ0,T ₁)

Reference will now be made to what is referred to herein as the “maximumintensity function”. In this regard, essentially the same voiceintensity measurements that were described for the average intensityfunction may be collected. Further, the maximum intensity function willbe arrived at (during the time T) by the equation:I MAX(ƒ0)=MAX [I(ƒ0,T)]

As described herein, the present invention relates to a system andmethod to determine an individual's (S,H,G) profile by an analysis ofthe characteristics that make up an individual's voice.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it is seen that according to one embodiment ofthe present invention a computerized voice-analysis device fordetermining an S,H,G profile is provided (as described above, such anS,H,G profile relates to the strengths (e.g., relative strengths) ofthree human instinctive drives). Of note, the present invention may beused for one or more of the following: analyzing a previously recordedvoice sample; real-time analysis of voice as it is being spoken;combination voice analysis—that is, a combination of: (a) previouslyrecorded and/or real-time voice; and (b) answers to a questionnaire.

Still referring to FIG. 1, it is seen that the device of this embodimentis based on a recorder 101 that records a voice sample (e.g., of atleast a few seconds). The analysis is then based on a three-dimensionalmeasurement: 1) the relative magnitude of the speaker's voice, 2) indifferent frequencies and 3) over time. For example, the device couldmeasure the relative magnitude of a speaker's voice, in the frequencyrange of 60-22,000 Hz, every one-tenth of a second. This analysis may becarried out in voice processing software 103. The data collected, asdescribed above, is then translated into the following mathematicalfunctions: (1) Relative intensity, as a function of time, in every givenfrequency; (2) The maximum intensity, as a function of the frequencythat was recorded within the tested time period; (3) The averageintensity (during the testing period) as a function of the frequency.This analysis may be carried out in intensity-determining software 105.Finally, SHG-determining software 107 may be utilized to generate an(S,H,G) profile (of note, CPU 109 may be utilized to run voiceprocessing software 103, intensity-determining software 105 and/orSHG-determining software 107 (each of which may be stand-alone orintegrated with one or more of the others).

Of note, digitization of the analog speech may be carried out by amicrophone, by the voice recorder and/or by the computer (CPU and/orsoftware). Further, while in one example the software of the deviceshown in FIG. 1 may operate in the MICROSOFT WINDOWS environment, anyother software environment may be utilized (e.g., UNIX, LINUX, the MACoperating system, etc.).

As described above, various embodiments of the present invention thusprovide a scientific method not only for the decoding of behavior butfor the mapping of preconscious motivation.

Reference will now be made to the following example system and methodfor voice analysis (wherein this example provides additional detailregarding the system configuration and calculation/analysis methods andis, of course, intended to be illustrative and not restrictive):

1. General Considerations

-   -   1.1 The voice-analysis device of this example operates in        real-time (although non-real-time configurations are        contemplated) and allows characterization of a speaker after        about 10-20 seconds of speech (provided, for example, that the        speaker spoke for at least 20 seconds and the total time of        continuous sound totals at least 10 seconds).        -   For the purpose of analysis, the device of this example is            able to distinguish and differentiate, on the basis of            voice, between an interviewer and an interviewee (i.e., the            voice to be analyzed).    -   1.2 The device of this example is adapted to analyze a voice        during, for example, a phone-carried conversation (in another        example the device is able to analyze pre-recorded sounds        off-line). Further, the device of this example is able to        process voice recordings from any of the widely-used        voice-recording systems currently in use.    -   1.3 The device may be adjusted, by the input of data, for        analyzing a male or female voice.    -   1.4 The device's output under this example includes:        -   First Stage        -   Numerical values for the three instinctive drives: H, S and            G        -   The numerical values assigned to each instinctive drive may            range, in this example, from 1 to 6 and may be displayed on            a computer screen as a result of the analysis. These            numerical values may also (or instead) be stored in a            database and linked to factual details about the speaker,            the interviewer, the date and time of the interview and/or            the purpose of the interview/analysis.        -   Second Stage        -   Based on the numerical values that were assigned to the            speaker, the interviewer may be presented with a            personality-profile description of the speaker and/or “tips”            for an effective conversation with the speaker (these may be            output to a computer screen and/or printer)        -   Third Stage        -   The “tips” supplied may be highly specific and relevant to            the conversation being carried out. For example, if the            interviewer is a salesperson, the device may suggest            specific products to be offered and the ideal method of            presentation.            2. The basic measurements and calculations    -   2.1 The device of this example measures sound intensities, for        each frequency, during a series of time-points (e.g., at a        spacing of no more than 0.05 seconds).    -   2.2 The sound frequencies measured may be spaced, for example,        at 20 Hz intervals.    -   2.3 The device of this example does not measure absolute        intensity levels but it measures sound intensities on a relative        scale for each analyzed voice.    -   2.4 The device of this example calculates average intensity and        maximum intensity values, for each frequency, during, e.g.,        consecutive 2.5 second segments. After arriving at such values        for (under this example) six segments (a total of 15 seconds)        the device proceeds to calculate numerical values for each        instinctive drive G,H and S.        3. Calculating numerical S, H, G values    -   G, H, S calculations under this example may be carried out as        follows:        -   For every time segment        -   A cumulative value (adding together the scores from each of            the various below-identified aspects for each of the time            segments) until a final value is achieved (e.g., over the            course of six time segments).        -   It is important to deduct “background noise” from sound            intensity values.    -   3.1. Calculating “G” value:        -   A. W            -   The frequency range, within the lower frequencies (e.g.,                for men: 100-900 Hz; for women: 200-1000 Hz) during                which the actual average intensity is higher than 10% of                highest average intensity value within these lower                frequencies. The numerical value for G for this aspect                is computed as follows:            -   4 points if the above-defined range is greater than 300                Hz wide            -   2 points if the above-defined range is 250-300 Hz wide            -   1 point if the above-defined range is 180-249 Hz wide            -   0 points if the above-defined range is less than 180 Hz                wide        -   B. P(X) Maximum Of Average Intensity            -   The device of this example compares the maximum of the                average intensity values for the following frequencies                300 Hz, 400 Hz, 500 Hz, 600 Hz, 700 Hz, 800 Hz, 900 Hz,                1000 Hz (or a nearby frequency, if one of these                frequencies was not calculated). The numerical value for                G for this aspect is computed as follows:            -   5 points if the maximum of the average intensity values                is at 300 or 400 Hz            -   4 points if the maximum of the average intensity values                is at 500 Hz            -   3 points if the maximum of the average intensity values                is at 600 Hz            -   1 point if the maximum of the average intensity values                is at 700 or 800 Hz.        -   C. A high G-value personality will rotate intensities, as a            function of time, between the two frequencies 400 and 600            Hz. When the intensity of 400 Hz goes up, intensity of 600            Hz goes down. A midrange and low G personality will have            less of a connection between these two frequencies. A low            G-value personality will display a relatively constant            intensity at 400 Hz even as the intensity of the 600 Hz            frequency fluctuates with time. This phenomenon can be            measured by comparing the derivative of the 400 Hz intensity            curve to the derivative of the 600 Hz derivative curve, as a            function of time. The numerical value for G for this aspect            is computed as follows:            -   4 points if there is a strong display of this phenomenon                (i.e., it is happening throughout the sampled time-frame                and with high intensity).            -   2 points if there is a medium strength display (i.e.                only part of the time strong or constant, but with low                intensity).            -   1 point if there is a weak display of this phenomenon                (i.e., it is happening only for short periods of time                and at a low intensity).        -   D. The density of high intensity peaks at 400 and 600 Hz, as            a function of time, indicate the strength of G. The            numerical value for G for this aspect is computed as            follows:            -   4 points if there are 4 intensity peaks (2 of 400 Hz and                2 of 600 Hz) within 15 seconds.            -   2 points if there are only 3 intensity peaks within 15                seconds.        -   E. The intensity at 40 Hz, 100 Hz (for men) and 200 Hz (for            women) is compared to that of 300 Hz or 400 Hz.            -   The numerical value for G for this aspect is computed as                follows:            -   (For telephone-recorded sound bites)            -   4 points if the intensity of one of these frequencies                (40, 100 or 200) is at least 25% of the intensity at 300                Hz or 400 Hz.            -   2 points if the intensity of one of these frequencies                (40, 100 or 200) is 16%-24% of the intensity at 300 Hz                or 400 Hz.            -   1 point if the intensity of one of these frequencies                (40, 100 or 200) is 10%-15% of the intensity at 300 Hz                or 400 Hz.            -   (For non-phone recordings):            -   4 points will be assigned if the intensity at 40 Hz is                at least 2.5× the intensity of 300 Hz.            -   2 points will be assigned if the intensity at 40 Hz is                at least 1.5× the intensity of 300 Hz.            -   1 point will be assigned if the intensity at 40 Hz is                the same as the intensity of 300 Hz.            -   Conclusion            -   The total number of points earned over six, 2.5 second                segments will vary in this example between 0 and 126                points. The speaker's G level is based on the point                score, using the following guidelines:            -   Grading of G level (6 level grading):            -   Level 6—Very high G: 85-126 points            -   Level 5—High G: 56-84 points            -   Level 4—Medium G: 35-55 points            -   Level 3—Medium-low G: 20-34 points            -   Level 2—Low G: 9-19 points            -   Level 1—Very Low G: 0-8 points.            -   Grading of G level (3 level grading):            -   High Level G: 56-126 points            -   Medium Level G: 20-55 points            -   Low Level G: 0-19 points.    -   3.2. Calculating Numerical Value for “H”:        -   A. A high H personality will communicate with a relatively            stable voice intensity at the lower sound frequencies; e.g.,            intensity at 300-600 Hz will not fluctuate much. This effect            can be quantified by measuring the distance between the            maximum intensity and the average intensity for each of            these frequencies. Two numbers will be used for this            determination: “AVG(!I)” and “L”. “AVG(!I)” is the average            difference in intensity between the average function and the            maximum function in the range of 300-600 Hz. The value “L”            is defined as “the average maximum distance between the two            functions (the average function and the maximum function).”            The value of “L” is determined by: 1) finding the two            frequencies (Φ₁, Φ₂) where the difference between the            intensities (I) of the two functions (maximum and average)            is greatest, 2) measuring the difference in intensity at            these two frequencies (!Φ₁, !IΦ₂), and 3) taking the simple            average of these two numbers L=(!IΦ₁+!IΦ₂)/2. The numerical            value for H for this aspect is computed as follows:            -   4 points if: L≧0.75*(AVG(!I))            -   2 points if: 0.5*(AVG(!I))<L<0.75*(AVG(!I))            -   1 point if: 0.25*(AVG(!I))<L<0.5*(AVG(!I))        -   B. A very low H value is correlated with a high number of            intensity peaks in the average function graph. The numerical            value (NP) for H determination for this aspect is scored by            the number of such peaks in a 1000 Hz range:            -   6 points for 6 (or more) peaks            -   4 points for 4-5 peaks            -   2 points for 3 peaks            -   1 point for 2 peaks            -   0 points for 1 peak        -   C. A very low H value is also correlated with a high number            of peaks in the maximum function graph. Here, the numerical            value (NMP) for H determination will be determined for this            aspect by the number of peaks within the frequency range of            300-1000 Hz:            -   6 points if there are 11 (or more) peaks            -   4 points if there are 9-11 peaks            -   2 points if there are 7-9 peaks            -   1 point if there are 3-6 peaks            -   0 points if there are 1-2 peaks.        -   D. A very low H value is also correlated with a high number            of peaks in the maximum function graph in the range of            1000-3000 Hz. The numerical value (NMP2) for H determination            will be determined for this aspect by the number of peaks            within the stated range:            -   6 points if there are 15 (or more) peaks            -   4 points if there are 9-14 peaks            -   2 points if there are 4-8 peaks            -   1 point if there are 2-3 peaks            -   0 points if there is 1 peak.        -   E. A high H value correlates with a relatively long break            between the appearances of lower frequencies in measurable            intensities. To give a specific example (which example is            intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), a long            break is a time period of 1.5 seconds (or longer) while a            very short break would be one of only 0.3 seconds. This time            break (AT) is measured for the frequencies 300, 400, 500 and            600 Hz. The assigned score for determining H for this aspect            will be as follows:            -   0 points for an AT of 1.5 seconds (or longer),            -   1 point for an AT of 1-1.5 seconds,            -   2 points for an AT of 0.75-1.0 seconds,            -   4 points for an AT of 0.5-0.75 seconds,            -   6 points for an AT of less than 0.5 seconds            -   Conclusion            -   For each segment the score will range from 0 to 28                points. And for the six segments together, a maximum                score under this example will be 168.                -   Grading of H level (6 level grading):

Level 1 - Very Low H 112-168 points. Level 2 - Low H 74-111 points Level3 - Low-Medium H 45-73 points Level 4 - High-Medium H 26-44 points Level5 - High H 12-25 points Level 6 - Very High H 0-11 points.

-   -   -   -   -   Grading of H level (3 level grading):

Low H Level 74-168 points Medium H Level 26-73 points High H Level 0-25points.

-   -   3.3. Calculating Numerical Value for “S”:        -   A. After a short adjustment period, an individual with a            high S value will display sharp changes in intensity at 600            and 800 Hz. To allow for the adjustment period, this change            in intensity should be measured only after the first three            2.5 second segments have already elapsed. A high S            individual will exhibit a 50% drop in intensity, within a            0.1 second period, followed by a return to 100% intensity            within 0.2 seconds. For the calculation of this aspect, the            derivative functions for the intensities at 600 and 800 Hz            are evaluated and the percentage of derivatives that            exhibited a rapid change (as described above ±25%) is the            determinant for the S score:            -   6 points if more than half of the derivatives exhibited                rapid change,            -   4 points if one-third to one-half of derivatives                exhibited rapid change            -   2 points if one-third, or less, of derivatives exhibited                the rapid change.        -   B. For this aspect, where P=Average Intensity, the score for            S will be:            -   6 points are assigned if: P(800 Hz)+¼ P(600 Hz)>P(400                Hz)            -   4 points are assigned if: ¾ P(400 Hz)<P(800 Hz)+¼ P(600                Hz)<P(400 Hz)            -   2 points are assigned if: ½ P(100 Hz)<P(800 Hz)+¼ P(600                Hz)<% P(400 Hz)            -   0 points for all others.        -   C. A high number of peaks, in the Maximum Intensity            function, within the range of 1000 to 3400 Hz, is indicative            of a high S value. The score for S for this aspect is            assigned as follows:            -   6 points are assigned if there are 20 (or more) peaks,            -   4 points are assigned if there are 10-20 peaks,            -   2 points are assigned if there are 5-9 peaks,            -   1 point is assigned if there are 2-4 peaks,            -   0 points are assigned if there are less than 2 peaks.        -   D. For this aspect, where there is a significant rise in            maximum intensity at 3000 (±300) Hz with at least one peak,            the score for S is assigned as follows:            -   6 points are assigned if the rise in intensity is 4-fold                (or more),            -   4 points are assigned if the rise in intensity is 2 to                3-fold,            -   2 points are assigned if the rise in intensity is only                50%,            -   1 point is assigned if the rise in intensity is less                than 50%,            -   0 points are assigned if there is no rise in intensity.            -   Conclusion            -   For the six segments together the score could range from                0 to 144.            -   Grading of S level (6 level grading):            -   Level 6—Very high S: 105-144 points            -   Level 5—High S: 76-104 points            -   Level 4—Medium S: 51-75 points            -   Level 3—Medium-low S: 26-50 points            -   Level 2—Low S: 11-25 points            -   Level 1—Very Low S: 0-10 points.            -   Grading of S level (3 level grading):            -   High Level S: 56-144 points            -   Medium Level S: 20-55 points            -   Low Level S: 0-19 points.                4. Personality Profiles    -   In this example, there is an option for using one of three        systems for combining the individual G, S and H scores and        defining a personality profile:        -   Combination A:        -   The personality types are defined by the combinations of            three-level G, H and S scores that were determined as            described above.            3 G levels×3 H levels×3 S levels=27 possible combinations.        -   Combination B:        -   The personality types are defined by the combinations of            six-level G, H and S scores that were determined as            described above.            6 G levels×6 H levels×6 S levels=216 possible combinations.        -   Combination C:        -   The personality types are defined by the two drives with the            highest scores. This method will have six possible            combinations: GH, GS, HG, HS, SG, SH.

Reference will now be made to two example questionnaires that may beutilized (alone or together) to supplement or be used in combination orconjunction with voice analysis to determine an individual's S,H,Gprofile. More particularly, the two example questionnaires are asfollows:

1. First Example Questionnaire

-   -   a. Instructions: A few sentences will be read to you. For each        sentence, rate the truthfulness of the statement with respect to        yourself. The rating is done by assigning a number, from 1 to 6,        using the following scale: (6—totally true, 1—totally not true):        -   1. A wonderful day is a day without any unexpected events.        -   2. A wonderful day is an eventful & out of the ordinary day.        -   3. I will never quit learning.        -   4. Learning is needed during the first 30 years of life.            After that, one should spend time working & enjoying.        -   5. I derive my main satisfaction from my success in            overcoming difficulties.        -   6. My main satisfaction is from my constant growth and            development emotionally & intellectually.        -   7. My main satisfaction is from the few hours of rest &            relaxation that I get.        -   8. I long to retire early on so that I can live quietly.        -   9. I have to work—otherwise I have no way of making a            living.        -   10. I will never stop working because my interest in people            & work are a major part of my life.        -   11. I'm always amongst the first to purchase new products.        -   12. I'm always willing to try new products, even if none of            my acquaintances tried them.        -   13. An ideal life partner is someone who puts me at ease.        -   14. An ideal partner is someone who, to a large extent,            contributes to my emotional & cognitive development.        -   15. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. All, or most of            all, is known already.        -   16. I don't tend to change my mind since I already know what            is right, what is wrong, how to live and how not to live.

2. Second Example Questionnaire

-   -   a. Instructions: A few sentences will be read to you. For each        sentence, rate the truthfulness of the statement with respect to        yourself. The rating is done by assigning a number, from 1 to 6,        using the following scale: (6—totally true, 1—totally not true):        -   1. I prefer developing at one work-place over the years.        -   2. I try not to work more than 8 hours a day.        -   3. A great day is one without any extraordinary events.        -   4. I detest changes & novelties. They frighten me.        -   5. The rush to change fashion trends is grotesque! There is            nothing wrong with what I have been wearing these past 5-10            years.        -   6. I await my retirement! Finally, I will be able to stop            this crazy life tempo.        -   7. There are many people who want to hurt me.        -   8. I could have progressed more in life, but there are a few            people who dislike me.        -   9. Life is a struggle.        -   10. Life is like a fortune wheel; the results have nothing            to do with our input.        -   11. If I could receive $5,000 a month from someone, I'd stop            working altogether.        -   12. I'm suspicious of new people & it takes me a while to            get acquainted & deal with them.        -   13. I'm always willing to try new products, even if none of            my acquaintances tried them.        -   14. I prefer a partner with whom my life would be            adventurous & spicey rather than someone who dislikes            changes & prefers a peaceful & quiet life.        -   15. I will never stop working since my interest in people &            work are a major factor in my life.        -   16. I try to learn a new thing each & every day.        -   17. I try to keep up to date, professionally, by reading            books & taking courses.        -   18. Independence is important to me in my work. This way I            can develop my own original ideas.

In another example, a questionnaire-based approach may be compared to avoice-analysis approach to identify and define voice characteristicsthat can be used to determine a speaker's (S), (H) and (G) levels. Inother examples, an (S,H,G) profile, determined by voice analysis, may beutilized to provide:

-   -   a) an accurate prediction of an (S,H,G) profile, as determined        by a questionnaire,    -   b) a prediction of a subject's behavior that matched predictions        that were based on other personality assessment tests,    -   c) a tool for more effective marketing (the improved efficiency        here was even greater than was previously achieved by the use of        a questionnaire).

As shown above, various embodiments of the present invention may providea mechanism for identifying and predicting patterns of human behavior(applications according to the present invention have utility in thefields, for example, of personal management and in directed sales ormarketing).

Of note, the present invention may, of course, be implemented using anyappropriate computer hardware and/or computer software. In this regard,those of ordinary skill in the art are well versed in the type ofcomputer hardware that may be used (e.g., a mainframe, a mini-computer,a personal computer (“PC”), a network (e.g., an intranet and/or theInternet)), the type of computer programming techniques that may be used(e.g., object oriented programming), and the type of computerprogramming languages that may be used (e.g., C++, Basic). Theaforementioned examples are, of course, illustrative and notrestrictive.

While a number of embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrativeonly, and not restrictive, and that many modifications may becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, whilethree-level and six-level grading have been described, the invention mayutilize any other number of grading levels. Further, while the use ofsix time segments has been described, any other desired number of timesegments may be utilized (e.g., at least 4 time segments of 2.5 secondeach for a total time of 10 seconds). Further still, one or morequestionnaires may supplement or be used in combination or conjunctionwith one or more voice analyses. Further still, one or morequestionnaires may validate one or more voice analyses. Further still,one or more voice analyses may supplement or be used in combination orconjunction with one or more questionnaires. Further still, one or morevoice analyses may validate one or more questionnaires. Further still,the present invention may be used for personalized advertising,personalized marketing, personalized sales, insurance company use,police department use, and/or dating service use (e.g., Internetdating). Further still, the present invention may be applied in-personor remotely (e.g. via telephone, radio, television). Further still, thepresent invention may be applied to determine what to say to anindividual (e.g., to make a sale) as well as when to say something to anindividual (e.g., to make a sale). Further still, the voice signal maybe input (for processing herein) via a microphone, a telephone or anyother device. Further still, voice may be stored in any desired format(e.g., in the MPEG format). Further still, one or more databases (e.g.,containing voice analysis information) may be utilized. Further still,various functions of software described herein may be carried out in oneor more software programs, in firmware and/or in hardware (e.g.,dedicated hardware). Further still, one or more steps may be automated.Further still, any steps may be performed in any desired order (and anydesired steps may be added and/or deleted).

1. A method for analyzing a voice of a speaker, comprising: receiving,by a computer, data indicative of speech from the speaker; storing, by acomputer, the received data in at least one database; calculating, by acomputer, based upon the received data, an average intensity value foreach of a plurality of frequencies, wherein the calculation of theaverage intensity value for each frequency is based on: i) dividing, bya computer, the received data into a number of time periods; ii)obtaining, by a computer, an intensity of the speaker's speech for eachfrequency during each time period; iii) obtaining, by a computer, a sumof intensity values for each frequency during all time periods; and iv)dividing, by a computer, the sum of intensity values for each frequencyby the number of time periods; calculating, by a computer, based uponthe received data, a maximum intensity value for each of the pluralityof frequencies, wherein the maximum intensity value for each frequencyis the highest intensity of the speaker's speech for each frequencyduring all time periods; calculating, by a computer, a level of asurvival element of a personality profile of the speaker based upon atleast one of: (a) a rapid change in the average intensity value betweenat least a portion of the plurality of frequencies; and (b) a rapidchange in the maximum intensity value between at least a portion of theplurality of frequencies; calculating, by a computer, a level of ahomeostasis element of the personality profile of the speaker bymeasuring a distance between the average intensity value and the maximumintensity for each frequency of at least a portion of the plurality offrequencies; calculating, by a computer, a level of a growth element ofthe personality profile of the speaker based upon at least one of: (a)determining, by a computer, a frequency range within at least a portionof the plurality of frequencies in which the average intensity value ofeach frequency within the frequency range is higher than a value that isequal to a predetermined percent of the highest average intensity valuewithin the frequency range of the at least a portion of the plurality offrequencies, (b) determining, by a computer, at least one frequencywithin at least a portion of the plurality of frequencies that has thehighest maximum intensity value among the at least a portion of theplurality of frequencies, and (c) determining, by a computer, a level ofcorrelation between changes in intensity values during the time periodsof a first frequency and changes in intensity values during the timeperiods of a second frequency; and outputting, by a computer, anindicator of the personality profile of the speaker based upon acombination of the calculated level of the survival element of thespeaker, the calculated level of the homeostasis element of the speaker,and the calculated level of the growth element of the speaker.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the calculated level of the survival elementcomprises one of three possible levels, wherein the calculated level ofthe homeostasis element comprises one of three possible levels, whereinthe calculated level of the growth element comprises one of threepossible levels, and wherein the indicator of the personality profilecomprises one of twenty-seven possible combinations of the levels of thesurvival element, the homeostasis element and the growth element.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the calculated level of the survival elementcomprises one of six possible levels, wherein the calculated level ofthe homeostasis element comprises one of six possible levels, whereinthe calculated level of the growth element comprises one of six possiblelevels, and wherein the indicator of the personality profile comprisesone of two-hundred and sixteen possible combinations of the levels ofthe survival element, the homeostasis element and the growth element. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator of the personality profilecomprises one of six possible combinations of the two highest levelsselected from the group consisting of the calculated level of thesurvival element, the calculated level of the homeostasis element, andthe calculated level of the growth element.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the data indicative of speech from the speaker is received inreal-time, as the speaker is speaking
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe data indicative of speech from the speaker is received from arecording of previously spoken speech.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe data indicative of speech from the speaker is received via atelephone.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the output indicator of thepersonality profile of the speaker is compared to results of aquestionnaire.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the output indicator ofthe personality profile of the speaker is compared to the results of thequestionnaire to validate the results of the questionnaire.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the output indicator of the personalityprofile of the speaker is compared to the results of the questionnaireto supplement the results of the questionnaire.
 11. The method of claim8, wherein the output indicator of the personality profile of thespeaker is compared to the results of the questionnaire to validate theresults of the voice analysis.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein theoutput indicator of the personality profile of the speaker is comparedto the results of the questionnaire to supplement the results of thevoice analysis.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the timeperiods is essentially the same.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein eachof the time periods is essentially the same.
 15. The method of claim 1,wherein each of the time periods is essentially the same.
 16. The methodof claim 1, wherein the output indicator of the personality profile isutilized in at least one of: (a) personalized advertising; (b)personalized marketing; (c) personalized sales; (d) insurance companyuse; (e) police department use; and (f) dating service use.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the output indicator of the personalityprofile is utilized to help determine what to say to the speaker. 18.The method of claim 16, wherein the output indicator of the personalityprofile is utilized to help determine when to say something to thespeaker.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the steps is carriedout using at least one of computer hardware and computer software. 20.The method of claim 1, wherein each of the steps is carried out in theorder recited.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the output indicatorof the personality profile of a first person is utilized to helpdetermine whether the first person and a second person are compatiblewith one another as a couple.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein theoutput indicator of the personality profile of the first person and anoutput indicator of the personality profile of the second person areutilized to help determine whether the first person and a second personare compatible with one another as a couple.
 23. The method of claim 1,wherein the output indicator of the personality profile of a firstperson is utilized to help determine whether the first person and asecond person are compatible with one another as co-workers.
 24. Themethod of claim 23, wherein the output indicator of the personalityprofile of the first person and an output indicator of the personalityprofile of the second person are utilized to help determine whether thefirst person and a second person are compatible with one another asco-workers.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator of thepersonality profile of the speaker is associated with at least onepersonality profile from a plurality of personal profiles which arecalculated, by a computer, based on all possible mathematicalpermutations among levels of grading for at least two of: a) thesurvival element, b) the homeostasis element, and c) the growth element.